Third Sunday before Lent
13th February 2022
'Rejoice on that day and leap for joy.’ Luke 6.23.
Image by Revd Jess.
We hope you can join us this week at one of our services as we journey towards Lent. We also have a Valentine’s fayre in the hall after the 10am service, raising funds for the church.
The Church of England remembers Racial Justice Sunday this week. Racial Justice Sunday is for all churches to reflect on the importance of racial justice, to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity, and to commit to end racism and acts of discrimination. Bishop Will has recorded a message for us. If you would like to know more you can watch his message here, and also read resources produced by the Chichester Diocese.
Racial Justice Sunday - Why bother? - Diocese of Chichester (anglican.org)
There is a special prayer for Racial Justice Sunday:
Merciful God,
you are righteous and love justice:
stir the hearts of your people that,
rejoicing in our diversity,
we may repent of the wrongs of the past,
and, by your grace, seek the peaceable kingdom of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Collect
Eternal God,
whose Son went among the crowds
and brought healing with his touch:
help us to show his love,
in your Church as we gather together,
and by our lives as they are transformed
into the image of Christ our Lord.
Readings
Jeremiah 17.5-10
Psalm 1
1 Corinthians 15.12-20
Luke 6.17-26
Sunday group meets in the hall at 10am. New children are always welcome.
World Day of Prayer 2022
Friday 4th March at 2.30pm, Shoreham Methodist Church, Brunswick Road BN43 5WB
Followed by light refreshments
EVERYONE WELCOME
‘I know the plans I have for you’
Prepared this year by Christian women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Fire Drill There will be a fire drill in church during the month of February at one of the 10am services.
Bible Art Luke 6.17-26
(See image at top of newsletter)
In Luke 6.23 Jesus says 'Rejoice on that day and leap for joy.' Isn't that a marvellous instruction?
'That day' is the day when others hate us, exclude us, treat us a disgusting, and say terrible things about us just because of our faith in Jesus.
St Stephen did that, and some other saints have done so too; but could I? And could you?
When I was in Nigeria there were people who had been threatened because of their faith and they felt awful that they had not been able to follow Jesus's command, but had pretended not to be Christians in order to save their lives and those of their families. They felt so guilty and ashamed.
But if we think about Peter, he did just the same, and yet he was healed and restored by Jesus; and - just think - it was Peter who healed the lame man in the Name of Jesus and HE jumped up, and stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.
So let us not blame ourselves when we fail stand up for our faith; but, instead, ask for the grace to do so next time ... and then leap for joy if we are reviled for doing so!
Revd Jess
Recycling Tip
The Lions take all old phones at their stall at the monthly market in Shoreham. The SIM card should be removed from old phones and smart phones restored to factory date. Jacky Woolcock (6 Beach Road) can take phones for people who cannot get to the market.
The Lions also recycle glasses collected from some opticians.
Quiz Night
Messy Church
Ash Wednesday 2nd March
We are offering two Ash Wednesday services in the benefice. There will be a service at the Good Shepherd at 10am and another at St Mary de Haura at 7.30pm. Please come along to either to begin Lent.
Lent Courses
This year we are running the Lent course ‘Comfort ye my People’ produced by the Chichester Diocese. In the 5 sessions we are offered beautiful images, stories and songs that speak of the God who knows us and loves us. In each session someone will speak to you about the comfort that they have found in these gifts. They will invite you to begin your own exploration of how God might lift your burdens and give you space and time to rest. More details are found here: Lent 2022 - Diocese of Chichester (anglican.org) This course can also be followed by individuals at home. There will be a Zoom online course on Wednesdays at 10am with Judy Short and Glenn Edey. Revd Jane is running a Tuesday course at 7.30pm in church. Sign-up sheet will soon be available. We hope you will join.
Lent Talks
Admission to Communion 2022
We are offering an admissions to communion on Easter Day this year. This means that children can receive communion before they are confirmed. This was common practice in Christianity until the 13th Century and still is in other Churches. In Anglicanism there has been a revival in this practice over the last 20 years or so. There will be preparation sessions for children from all the Shoreham parishes in a youth club style held at St Giles on Wednesday’s after school starting on 2nd March. Open to all children in school year 3 and above. Please speak to Daisy or email Revd Steve if you are interested. shorehamcurate@gmail.com
Confirmation 2022
There will be a Confirmation service with Bishop Will at the end of September. Confirmation is an opportunity to take a step forward in your Christian journey and to make promises for yourself that were often made on your behalf by parents and godparents at your baptism. We hope to run two preparation courses for the benefice, one for secondary school age children and one for adults who wish to be confirmed.
You do not need to be baptised already. If you are interested in getting confirmed or are interested in reaffirming your confirmation promises or just curious to know more, then please speak to Daisy or email Revd Steve. shorehamcurate@gmail.com
Vacancy Update
The joint PCCs from the Good Shepherd and St Mary de Haura met this week. This was to approve our benefice profile and also to elect four representatives who will be part of the interview process for the next incumbent. Kay Haffenden and Kate Collier agreed to represent the Good Shepherd and John Tyson and Sue Clay are representing St Mary de Haura. Let’s hold them all in our prayers.
And finally…
We need your old palm crosses to make the ash for Ash Wednesday. Please bring them along and leave them at the back of church. Thank you.
I work half-time and the usual days when I am available are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. Blessings and prayers for you all this week. Revd Jane
Notices for the newsletter should be emailed to Revd Jane by Wednesday at 12noon
Contacts
Revd Jane Bartlett Email: bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com Tel: 079355 38085.
Church wardens Emma Purser, Penny Humphrey and deputy warden Kay Haffenden email: office@cogschurchwardens.co.uk
Safeguarding Officer Emma Purser 07786651886
Children’s Ministry Daisy Durrant email: cogssundayschool10@gmail.com
Parish centre and hall bookings Tel: 01273 440202
Services this Week
Sunday, 13th February
8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane and Sally.
10am – Parish Communion with Revd Jane and Sally.
This service will be live streamed onto our Facebook and You Tube channel.
You Tube page CLICK HERE
Church Facebook page CLICK HERE
Tuesday 15th February
9.30am - Informal Holy Communion with Revd Peter.
Wednesday 16th February
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106
Passcode: 960274
Friday 18th February
8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer at St Mary de Haura and also on Zoom
Meeting ID: 513293120 (No password is needed )
Click here LINK
Saturday 19th February
8am – Morning Meditation at the Good Shepherd and also on Zoom
Meeting ID: 166073397 (no password needed) Click here LINK
3pm – Messy Church
Evening Prayer
This is said at 5.30pm at St Marys and via Zoom on
Monday and Wednesday, at 5.30pm. If
you want to attend online contact Revd Steve for the link. Email: shorehamcurate@gmail.com
To donate to the Church of the Good Shepherd online CLICK HERE Thank you!
If you are reading this newsletter on a paper copy and would like to receive it each week through email please contact: cogsenews@gmail.com
Church website: www.goodshepherdshorehambeach.org.uk